Whirlpool’s $17B Profit Secret: Slash Jobs, Boost Margins—Workers Pay the Price
Whirlpool Corporation just announced it’s cutting 650 jobs at its Amana, Iowa plant — despite raking in a staggering $17 billion in sales last year. The layoffs, set to begin June 1, 2025, have sparked outrage among workers, unions, and local leaders who accuse the appliance giant of prioritizing profits over people. While Whirlpool claims the cuts are due to “adjusting production to match demand,” critics argue the company is simply squeezing workers to maximize shareholder returns. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), representing many affected employees, slammed the decision as a betrayal. “This is a tight-knit community built on good union jobs,” a union rep said. “Whirlpool made billions, yet they’re throwing hardworking families under the bus.” The Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO also blasted the move, pointing out that Iowa’s weakened unemployment benefits — now offering fewer weeks of support — will leave laid-off workers in an even de...
